
Written byJessica Guht
Medical & Health Writer | Wellness Enthusiast | MEng in Biomedical Engineering
Jessica is a medical writer with an unquenched thirst to discover something new. She believes that medical content should be universally accessible and strives to write content that everyone, no matter their background, can understand. Credentials: MEng in Biomedical Engineering from Rutgers University
Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) medications can help jump-start your weight loss efforts and give you the edge you need to reach your goals. However, in order to get the most out of GLP-1s, there are certain things to add to your lifestyle, and others to avoid.
How to See Success with Your GLP-1 Medication
It can be frustrating when your excitement at starting a new medication quickly dissipates due to no advancements in your weight loss goals. However, sometimes this stagnancy is because, rather than your habits supporting your GLP-1 medication, they’re hindering its capabilities.
Keep these do’s and don’ts in mind while on a GLP-1 to see the greatest results and minimize adverse effects:
Do: Take Your Medication As Prescribed
GLP-1s are prescribed in gradually increasing doses until your maintenance dose is reached. It is important to follow your prescriber’s schedule to ensure that your body does not react negatively to the medication and to minimize any side effects. Don’t increase your dose too early in the hopes of furthering your weight loss—you may very well regret it when the side effects become intense.
It’s also important to be consistent with your medication and take it when prescribed, which is typically once a week. Taking the medication when prescribed ensures that its concentrations remain steady in your body.
Don't: Remain Inactive
While GLP-1 medications can help with weight loss, they work their best when combined with other healthy lifestyle habits, including regular exercise. If you remain inactive, you may not progress as quickly.
Find a type of exercise that you like, whether it’s walking, running, yoga, or strength training—to name a few options—and incorporate it into your week. As a bonus, exercise can help you increase muscle, allowing you to get stronger as you lose weight.
Do: Eat A Balanced Diet
GLP-1 medications lower your appetite, so it’s important that the foods you do eat are nutrient-dense. Rather than snack on packaged foods and other ultra-processed food items, opt for lean proteins, fiber-rich vegetables, and healthy fats to nourish your body and further support your weight loss. GLP-1 medications can often help reduce cravings, so take full advantage of this by modifying your diet.
Don't: Expect Results Right Away
If you expect to immediately see the number on the scale lower and then continue lowering quickly, you’ll be disappointed and may even discontinue your GLP-1 medication, thinking that it isn’t working.
GLP-1 medications work by lowering your appetite so that you consume fewer calories in a day. They are not a quick solution for weight loss but, instead, a tool to help support your weight loss efforts, which is why they are most effective when combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise. As with all weight loss methods, the results will not be immediate, but with consistency, you may join the majority who achieve weight loss of 5% or more within 1 year of treatment, with some people even seeing up to a 15% weight loss after a year.
Losing Weight with a GLP-1
If you’re struggling to make any progress on your weight loss goals, a GLP-1 medication may be the right option for you to help give your body the nudge it needs. Consult with doctors through YOURx to determine if the GLP-1s of semaglutide or tirzepatide are a good option for you.
References
Fornes, A., Huff, J., Pritchard, R. I., & Godfrey, M. (2022). Once-Weekly Semaglutide for Weight Management: A Clinical Review. The Journal of pharmacy technology : jPT : official publication of the Association of Pharmacy Technicians, 38(4), 239–246. https://doi.org/10.1177/87551225221092681